Hideaway freezer



June 22,1965

5. c. HELTON HIDEAWAY FREEZER Filed Nov. '26, 1962 IIlllll llllllll An U HUIIIII M J 3% Ma. 15W w 4 M M a? w m 2 .w 5 2 ,0 2 a I E r steps whatever.

United States Patent O This invention relates to a refrigeration unit, and particularly to a freezer or related unit which provides refrigerated food storage space without consuming valuable living space.

Food storage by refrigeration is accepted today asa necessity. Each year the cubic feet of refrigerator and freezer space used in homes, ships, restaurants, hotels,

etc; becomes greater and greaterr Consequently, refn'geratorsjand freezers normally assume a great deal of valuable space. In fact, many families today have been forced to put the, home freezer in the basement or in the garage to provide sufficientliving space in the regular part of the house. Although this remote location of the freezer does indeed provide more floor area or living space, it also necessarily creates an inconvenience directly proportional to the remoteness of the unit. lnother locations such as ships, all floor area is valuable and its usage for refrigeration detracts from other potential uses. It is therefore the main object of this invention to provide a refrigeration-type unit, especially a freezer, that is' adapted to be located at a normally remote location for storage, during which no valuable area or living space is consumed, but which is completely convenient for removal or insertion of food within a fraction of a second; and without requiring walking out to the garage or down to the basement or elsewhere, indeed'without any extra The unit is normally out of sight, but is within convenient reach right in the kitchen or the like as soon as it is needed. In fact, no bending is required to insert or remove goods. It can be loaded and unloaded from the side, rather than from the top, thereby enabling neat stacking and manipulation of the food stuffs without wasted space, spite of the fact that no bending is needed to use even the lowermost shelves. The unit is moreover out of the reach of children.

It is another object of this invention to provide an overhead refrigerator unit that, although of considerable size, does not detract asethetically from the room, and in fact adds not only aesthetic qualities but also serves as a light source for the room.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent upon studying the following specification in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel refrigeraation unit shown mounted above the ceiling of a room,

and having its inner multiple shelf unit lowered into loading or unloading position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the portion of the apparatus below the ceiling line during normal storage condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the inner mechanism of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial electrical diagram of the hoist motor and actuator of the apparatus. 7

Basically, the inventive refrigeration unit comprises an -open bottom, insulated wall and top housing having mounting means on the lower end thereof attachable to the joints in a house above the ceiling, refrigeration equipment operably associated with the housing, preferably in the top thereof, a multiple shelf, foodstufi storage unit normally positioned inside the housing substantially above said ceiling and out ofsaid room, and being in telescopic relationship with thehousing to be lowered out of it through an opening in the ceiling for removal or inser- 3,190,080 PatentedJune 22, 1965 tion of food onto the trays through special doors. The bottom of the tray unit is insulated to close the open bottom on the housing for retention of cold air therein. Between the shelf unit and the top of the housing is a hoist mechanism for lowering the shelf unit through the ceiling into reach inside the room and for raising the unit back up into storage position. Telescoping, centrally-positioned sheath elements around the suspension element of the hoist are located between said housing and shelf rack to stabilize the lowering shelf unit. In addition, peripheral roller elements between the shelf unit and housing guide the shelf during lowering and raising,

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the novel freezer or other refrigeration unit 10 comprises a main housing 12 a"telescopicallyinterfitting foodstuff holding shelf unit14, refrigeration unit 16, cooling coils 17, and hoist mechanism 18.

Housing 12 has an open bottom and is adapted to be mounted above the ceiling 20 by securing it .to reinforced joists 22 beneath which the ceiling 20 is suspended. The connection means between the lower end of the housing and the joists is by means of an annular or other configurated metallic support flange 24 riveted or otherwise secured to the periphery of the housing 12, and adapted to rest'on and be supported by joists 22. Other support means can be used as necessary. The housing is thus supported'above the ceiling over an opening cut into the ceiling and coinciding with the open bottom of the housing to enable shelf unit 14 to be lowered through the ceiling. t

If desired, the lower portion 12' of the housing may extend slightly beneath the ceiling level. and-may, even include suitable lights 26 to provide an attractive and even useful appearance to thelower end when normally in its retracted storage position substantially above the ceiling. A peripheral dress ring 30 extends around the lower end of the housing to cover. the rough opening cut into the ceiling.

The walls of housing 12 are insulated with a heat barrier layer 32 such as polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, Fiberglas or other known suitable insulation material. The top of the storage chamber 34 in the housing also includes a suitable layer 36 of insulation.

Operably associated with the storage chamber 34 is a refrigeration unit 16. It may be of any suitable known type, such as Freon the liquid compression, expansion, and evaporation type, or the gas burner'evaporation and concoils in the chamber 34, and the location of a burner .unit, motor, or other units may vary depending upon the type of refrigeration unit, and the principles of operation. Since this may vary widely and the technology regarding these units is well-known, any further detailed explanation is believed superfluous and unnecessary. The refrigeration unit is preferably located in the top of the hou ing on rigid support plate 38 above insulation layer 36. The housing cap enclosing the refrigeration 'unit 16 in cludes outlet vents 4% for dissipation of heat.

The shelf unit 14 is supported on a central column or post 42 affixed at its lower end to bracket 54'and bottom plate 50. Sleeve 42 telescopically interfits around upper sleeve 44. Sleeve 44 may be threadably attached to a collar 46 which is rigidly secured to plate 38. At the lower end of the shelf unit 14 is the insulated bottom closure plate Stl, which serves both as the support for the shelf unit, and when the shelf unit is retracted, as a sealing closure for open bottomed housing 12. Plate 50 is filled with any suitable heat insulation material to retain the cold in chamber 34 when the shelf unit is retracted upwardly. A suitable rubber or plastic seal 52 of annular configuration and having some compressibility for optimum sealing characteristics'is locatedhbetween-the arcades 60 and lower the suspension chain 58 inside the .sheath' upper peripheral surface of bottom 50, and the lower peripheral edge of housing 12, 'to sealingly closethe chamber 34 when the unit is in normal storage condition.

Rigidly secured to the upper surface of the solid plate 50 is the support =bracket'54 to which sleeve 42 is attached at itsrlower end," and which also includes a cross bar 56 or other suitable meansinterfitting with the suspension chain element 58 of hoist unit,13, and more specifically with hook 59 at the lower end of the chain. In this form of the invention, the suspensionchain is adapted to be hoisted by the sprocket 60'and passes into asuitable chain hoist compartment 21 when the sprocket is actuated by v a reversible electrical motor 62 mounted upon plate 33. Other equivalent hoist mechanismsmay besubstituted for the chain hoist and. motor combination illustrated,

without departing from the principles of the invention as taught. V,

the top of the shelf unit and mounted to the sleeve 42.

These guide the shelf unit against lateral movement as it is .raised'and lowered into and out ofhousing 12.] Disc 64 includes a plurality of openings 72 to enable the refrigerated air from refrigeration unit 16 to pass freely into the s V shelf unit. It will be understood that instead of the disc 64, other suitable support means maybe positioned be tween the upper end of sleeve 42 and the inner wallof the housing to laterally guide the'structure and help stabilize it as his being raised and lowered. Any conventional safetystop means (not shown) may be employed to pre vent an accident in case of hoist failure.

Attached atspaced intervals up sleeve 42 are shelves 80, 80' and 80", which, together with the upper surface of bottom50, support foodstuflsto be stored in a refrigerated condition. The food is retained on theshelves out of contact with the housing during raising and lowering by'a plurality of arcuate doors 82, which slide in tracks above and below it in the shelves to allow removal or insertion of foodstuffs as needed. These provide convenient side entry enabling neat stacking of foodstuffs. These closure doors may be made of any suitable material such as glass or plastic, or may be a mesh formed of metal strips 86. i V

As illustrated by way'of example in FIG. the reversible hoist motor 62 is connected to a double-throw. switch -90 from a conventional power'supply 92. Thus, by

elements. .The chainlowers bottom since it is connected around cross bar 56 by hook 5h. This allows the bar, bracket '54 and bottom ,St) to be lowered, "which thereby lowers mounting sleeve 42 and the plurality of shelves 80,86 'and897. Since the sleeves 42 and 44 telescopically interfit with each other, they provide stability 1 to theunitduring this movement.. Also, rollers 68 ride.

alongin their respective tracks 7tlto laterally guide the unit and alsohelp stabilize it.

' When thehoist is completely lowered, switch' 90 is released, whereby it moves to its open position illustrated.

inFIGli.

Then one merely slidesback the particularsdoor 82 of the shelf concerned, removes or inserts 'goods,-'or recloses the door; Then by throwing'the switch 90 to connect leads'96 and reverse the hoist motor, chain 58 'is retracted to hoist thebottom 50,. column sleeve 42 and the sleeves until the upper annular 1 surface 51 of the bottom presses against the seal 20' on the lower end of the housing to close the chamber again.

' of the home. 'It therefore moves from a storage position whichiscompletely remote and utilizes no valuable floor area or living space to a position at a convenient height enabling side removal and insertion of goods, and not requiring any bending to reach the lower shelves.

' Although the'cylindrical' configuration described and shown is the preferred'form, it'will be readily understood that the cross sectional configuration er the unit may be Of course, the

rectangular, triangular, or polygonal.

doors 82 will be shaped accordingly. 7 Various other obvious modifications may be made in the structure within the principles'of this invention. Therefore the invention is not to be limited by the exemplary structure illustrated, but only by the scope of the appended claims, and the reasonably equivalent structures to those defined therein.

I 'claimi onthe lower end thereof for mounting said housing to ceiling joists above the ceiling in a room; said housing having insulated walls and top defining .a storage cham-" ber; refrigeration-equipment operably assocaited with said chamber to cool the air therein; said housing and chamher having an open bottom adapted to'coincide with an openinginsaid ceiling; a foodstuff storage unit normally positioned in said housing to be overhead of and;

. being insulated to close the open bottom of said hous- .ing when in the normal storage. position; said unit being throwing the switch across leads 94, the motor is actuated Connection of leads 96 to the switch operates the motor 'tolower the chain, and with it shelf unit l4. Sleeves 42 and 44 act as a sheathifor the suspension element 58.

in reverse direction to hoist the chain and shelf unit inside Operation v ,It will be readily understood from the above description that when the freezer or refrigeration'unit is in its the housing to the storage position illustratedin FIG. 2.

normal storage condition, the shelf unit 14 is retracted upintohousing 12 substantially above the ceiling 20, with optionally'a small portion protruding below the ceiling for decorative and lighting purposes. In this storage condition the insulated bottom 50 compresses peripheral seal ber 34 refrigerated by unit 16'. The unit is out of the way in the attic or the likeand assumes no valuable floor space in the kitchen or other rooms; When it is desired to remove foodstuffs fromthe shelves, or to insert new goods onto the storage shelves, switch 90' is thrown to -create a circuit across leads 94 from the power source 92 to. motor 62, -This causes the motor to rotate sprocket .52 against the lower edge of the housing shell and closes 'the'open bottom of the housing to providexa sealed chamsubstantially out of said room; the bottomof, said unit in telescopic relationship inside said housing and operably connected thereto by'elevating means; and actuator me'ans for reversibly operating said elevating means-to lower said unit largely out of said housing and into theroom for removal or insertion; of foodstuffs, and to raise said.

unit back into storage position again insidesaid housing.

-2. An overhead foodstuff refrigeration unit in a room,

comprising; support joists having the ceiling of said room suspended 'therebeneath; an opening in said ceiling; an insulate-d, open bottom, housing mounted to said joists above said ceiling around said opening and normally out" of sight; a refrigeration 'unit operably associated with 1 said housing to refrigerate the interior thereofia storage unit normally retained in said housing, and having an insulated bottom to close the open bottom of said housing-when in the storage position; a peripheral air seal between said bottom and said housing to normally retain the cold air in said housing; and motor operated hoist means connected between the top of said housing and 1 .said shelfunit to enable said shelf unit to be loweredwith- 'in reach of someone in said room, and to be hoisted out; of reach and into a storage position. i

3. A ceiling refrigerator comprising: an-open bottom,

It is thus c'ompletely out of the way again, and largely out of-:si'ght. 'In fact,'it appears merely asa normal light in the ceiling 13A refrigeration unit for overhead mounting in a room, comprising: a housing having mounting means insulated housing including mounting means to fixedly attach it above the ceiling and substantially out of sight in a room; refrigeration means to cool the housing interior; storage shelf means normally retained in said housing substantially above said ceiling and including food retention doors; an insulated portion of said shelf means normally forming the bottom of said housing; hoist means to lower said shelf means out the open bottom of said housing and into the room for opening said doors for removal or insertion of food, and raise said shelf means into a refrigerated storage position inside said housing; and guide means between the periphery of said shelf means and said housing to guide said shelf means as it is lowered and raised.

4. A ceiling refrigerator comprising; an open bottom, insulated housing including mounting means to fixedly attach it above the ceiling in a room; refrigeration means to cool the housing interior; storage shelf means normally retained in said housing substantially above said ceiling and including food retention doors; a portion of said shelf meanstnormally forming the bottom of said housing, hoist means including a suspension element attached to said shelf means to lower said shelf means out the bottom of said housing and into the room for opening said doors for removal or insertion of food, and r-aise said shelf means into a storage position; centrally positioned, elongated members telescopically inter-fitted and attached respectively to said shelf means and said housing to stabilize movement of said shelf means with respect to said housing and enclosing the suspension element of said hoist means.

'5. A ceiling refrigerator comprising: an open bottom,

insulated housing including mounting means to fixed-1y attach it above the ceiling in a room; refrigeration means to cool the housing interior; storage shelf means normally retained in said housing substantially above said ceiling,

and including food retention doors; a portion of said shelf and attached respectively to said shelf means and said housing to stabilize movement of shelf means with respect to said housing and enclosing the suspension element of said hoist means; and roller guide means between the periphery of said shelf means andthe interior of saidhousing to'guide said shelf means as it is lowered or raised.

6. A refrigeration unit for overhead mounting in a room, comprising: a housing having mounting means on the lower end thereof for mounting said housing to ceiling joists above the ceiling in a room; a portion of the lower end of said housing adapted to extend below an opening in said ceiling when so mounted; light means in said portion to enable it to serve a decorative lighting purpose; said housing having insulated walls and top defining a storage chamber; refrigeration equipment operably associated with said chamber to cool the air therein; said housing and chamber having an open bottom; a foodstuif storage unit normally positioned in said housing to be overhead of and substantially out of said room; the bottom of said unit being insulated to close the open bottom of said housing when in the normal storage positi-on; said unit being in telescopic relations-hip inside said housing and operably connected thereto by elevating means; and actuator means for reversibly operating said elevating means to lower said unit largely out of said housing and into the room for removal or insertion of foodstuffs, and to raise said unit back into storage position again inside said housing.

7 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 122,799 1/72 Blaisdell 6Z259 478,898 8/02 Westwood 62--259 2,086,002 '7/37 Shepard 187-17 2,286,388 6/42 Smith 254- 175.5 X 2,463,506 3/49 Ball :312-312X 2,895,311 7/59 Spalvins 62378 X 3,032,057 5/6 2 Mays '312- 2-47x EDWARD 1. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner ROBERT A. OIJEARY, Examiner. 

1. A REFRIGERATION UNIT FOR OVERHEAD MOUNTING IN A ROOM, COMPRISING: A HOUSING HAVING MOUNTING MEANS ON THE LOWER END THEREOF FOR MOUNTING SAID HOUSING TO CEILING JOISTS ABOVE THE CEILING IN A ROOM; SAID HOUSING HAVING INSULATED WALLS AND TOP DEFINING A STORAGE CHAMBER; REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CHAMBER TO COOL THE AIR THEREIN; SAID HOUSING AND CHAMBER HAVING AN OPEN BOTTOM ADAPTED TO COINCIDE WITH AN OPENING IN SAID CEILING; A FOODSTUFF STORAGE UNIT NORMALLY POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING TO BE OVERHEAD OF AND SUBSTANTIALLY OUT OF SAID ROOM; THE BOTTOM OF SAID UNIT BEING INSULATED TO CLOSE THE OPEN BOTTOM OF SAID HOUSING WHEN IN THE NORMAL STORAGE POSITION; SAID UNIT BEING IN TELESCOPIC RELATIONSHIP INSIDE SAID HOUSING AND OPERABLY CONNECTED THERETO BY ELEVATING MEANS; AND ACTUATOR MEANS FOR REVERSIBLY OPERATING SAID ELEVATING MEANS TO LOWER SAID UNIT LARGELY OUT OF SAID HOUSING AND INTO THE ROOM FOR REMOVAL OR INSERTION OF FOODSTUFFS, AND TO RAISE SAID UNIT BACK INTO STORAGE POSITION AGAIN INSIDE SAID HOUSING. 